Chapter 583: Oil(3)
Chapter 583: Oil(3)
It was a substance that Isaac would have called plastic. In Earth's civilization, plastic occupied such a significant portion of daily life that it was practically indispensable.
From toys and simple household goods to firearms, there was almost nowhere plastic didn't play a role. It was especially vital in high-tech industries, being a core component of computers and smartphones.
While plastic was an essential material for modern civilization on Earth, things were a bit different in this world.
"When we first invented this substance, we firmly believed it could replace scarce materials. However, in practice, it's often better to just use something else."
Descal spoke clearly, twirling a plastic fork in his hand.
As mentioned before, Helium had made the most of its overflowing oil reserves, and as a result, its alchemy had reached incredible heights. Normally, this would have birthed a new field of study called chemistry, but due to Helium's isolation and the unique characteristics of this world, it remained categorized under alchemy.
Nevertheless, their alchemical prowess was far superior to that of other nations. By focusing solely on petroleum, their ability to analyze other substances had naturally improved as well.
The combination of petroleum and alchemy allowed them to create various materials, the most notable being nylon. And since nylon had made its debut, plastic had also appeared on the scene. In terms of timing, it had been over a hundred years since its discovery.
"However, I will consider supporting the factories as you suggested. If nothing else, we should at least be able to manufacture clothing."
"I understand. I shall follow your will, Your Majesty."
"Then, you are dismissed."
Descal sent away the official who had advocated for the commercialization of plastic. The official bowed politely and quietly exited the room.
Descal was left alone in his office. In the quiet space, he examined the plastic fork from various angles. There were many types of plastic, but this was made of the most common variety. The fork looked utterly ordinary.
To think this was made over fifty years ago...
But in terms of its manufacturing date, it was anything but ordinary. It was a plastic fork that had maintained its shape for half a century. It was a substance that melted at a certain temperature, making it easy to process, yet depending on the type, it could withstand extreme cold or heat.
Furthermore, it was resistant to acid—the worst enemy of steel. Its versatility was truly limitless.
If Mithril is a rare metal that only skilled blacksmiths can handle, this is a material that anyone can work with easily.
Moreover, Mithril could not be artificially synthesized like plastic. It had to be mined, and even then, it was found with a rarity comparable to diamonds. Plastic, on the other hand, was simply a matter of combining petroleum and alchemy. The difference in accessibility was staggering.
Despite being nothing short of a miracle, Descal and the past rulers of Helium had viewed plastic with a negative eye.
We can't afford to commit every single alchemist just to produce this.
First of all, as mentioned, mass production was impossible. It's worth remembering that the reason goods are cheap on Earth is due to factories and mass production.
In this world, factories were only just beginning to emerge, slowly healing the wounds of the Great Depression. However, materials made from petroleum had always been the domain of alchemists.
The problem was that the processing was extremely difficult. An alchemist was absolutely required to create specific substances from oil. Alchemists weren't exactly common, nor were they easy to employ; they were often perceived as eccentrics.
Helium had developed alchemy on a national scale out of a need for survival, but alchemists were not a workforce suited for 'production.' It was far better to have them focus on research and hand off the practical know-how to others.
It would be easier if we could just pass on the techniques, but...
For nylon, the raw material for stockings, enough know-how had accumulated that skilled laborers existed. But that wasn't the case for plastic. Because it was a 'failed' invention, it received no support. Even now, only a handful of skilled workers and alchemists in Helium knew how to make it.
Of course, it wasn't completely unused, thanks to its unique properties. It was applied in areas where rust or rot would be a problem, such as water and sewage systems. But despite these efforts, plastic had yet to find a place that matched its utility. More accurately, they didn't know where else to use it.
Should I try applying it to the military or the adventurer profession?
Descal stroked his chin while looking at the fork. It might be useful for soldiers or adventurers. Adventurers, in particular, traveled frequently and often slept outdoors, handling their own meals. He had heard that personal supplies were a surprisingly high expense for them because they lost things so often.
What if plastic utensils were introduced there? It could yield a significant profit in many ways.
If only mass production were possible.
He had reacted negatively to the official's request earlier, but upon reflection, the practicality was high. If factories didn't exist, he would have opposed it unconditionally. The emergence of mana engines and factories was, in some ways, more alluring than magic.
But to integrate factories with alchemy, cooperation with Machina is essential.
Currently, the factories operating in the Minerva Empire performed simple, repetitive tasks. However, the process of refining petroleum was arduous. Different methods were required depending on the temperature, and each method involved further sub-processes.
To cover all of that with magic would take too much time, and the effectiveness of plastic hadn't been fully proven yet. Again, plastic had been invented too early, and its usefulness was not yet recognized.
First, I must check if the processes we already have know-how for can be replaced by factories.
What was needed now was to see if factories could take over the production of materials. If that were possible, Helium would stand to gain immense wealth. Even now, stockings were incredibly popular. After the publication of the Xenon Biography, their popularity was beyond words.
Furthermore, if Machina were to invent an engine that used petroleum... the mere thought made him happy.
The gods truly haven't abandoned us.
Descal leaned back in his chair with a blissful smile. Living as a Demon, he had sometimes harbored doubts toward the gods. He wondered why the gods had given him and his kin such a difficult life, and why they had been assigned to this specific land out of so many.
But as the saying goes, "patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet," and recently, a string of good fortune had arrived. It started with the publication of the Xenon Biography, followed by gaining Xenon as a son-in-law. And now, through Blood and Iron, the importance of petroleum had come to light, causing Helium's value to skyrocket.
Did he say the residue can be used for road paving?
His only child and the daughter who brought him luck, Cecile, had told him. She said the residue left after distilling petroleum was useful for paving roads. Naturally, it was knowledge provided by Isaac. They had been throwing all that residue away, but they had finally found a use for it.
Could it be the same for this?
Descal looked at the plastic fork once more. Isaac, the Apostle of God, might find a use for this miraculous substance as well. Three times might be a coincidence, but four times is skill. Descal firmly believed that Isaac would provide the answer.
To that end, he would have to send the plastic fork to Cecile. He planned to send a few pairs of stockings along with it. For some reason, she had mentioned that her stockings were tearing quite badly lately. Since stockings were prone to tearing anyway, he didn't think much of it.
I should send them right away.
Without delay, Descal sent the plastic fork and the stockings to Cecile. He didn't forget to include a letter for both greetings and explanation. Since the break was over, Cecile was attending the Academy. If he sent it to her dormitory, it would surely reach Isaac.
And just as Descal expected, a reply arrived not long after the package was sent.
[If a way to perfectly decompose—no, to completely annihilate—this substance is not found, humanity will face the full brunt of 'Nature's Pain.']
"..."
The problem was that it was a terrifying prophecy, or rather, a warning.
Setting aside the fact that plastic already existed, Isaac, who knew the future, couldn't help but be horrified. On Earth, there were already islands of trash in the middle of the ocean, and more than half of the sea turtles had swallowed plastic.
Of course, plastic wasn't the only thing causing environmental pollution, but the two biggest culprits were carbon emissions and plastic. Fortunately, this world had little to worry about regarding carbon emissions. Thanks to the early appearance of mana, which acted like electricity, carbon emissions were much lower. Even mana engines using coal were generating mana through steam power. It was better, but not without concern.
Among these issues, plastic was the most serious. Since magic existed in this world, Isaac decided to find a solution before the material became widespread. Otherwise, he would have no excuse if Hirt's wrath fell upon their heads.
"Find a way to perfectly annihilate this substance! This is a royal decree!"
To Descal, it was nothing short of a terrifying prophecy. The phrase 'Nature's Pain,' rather than 'Nature's Wrath,' struck him with fear. Nature's Wrath referred to earthquakes and volcanoes, but 'Nature's Pain' was a disaster he had never heard of.
Causing pain to Hirt, the mother of all and Nature itself, was an act that would outrage both heaven and earth—and to think that pain would all come back to them.
"Pardon? But..."
"Your Majesty. The greatest strength of this substance is its durability. To find a way to annihilate it... that is..."
Naturally, the officials could not understand. Why find a way to destroy plastic, which they had just called a miracle material? Furthermore, they were Demons. Even if it didn't rot for a hundred years, they just thought, Wow, it lasts a long time.
The problem was that some plastics wouldn't rot for five hundred years. Even on Earth, the full process of plastic decomposition had never been observed. Thus, the officials couldn't understand Descal's command, but they changed their tune at his next words.
"Xenon has given a prophecy. He said that as miraculously as this substance was created, it will cause great pain to the Mother of Nature. If we do not find a way to perfectly annihilate it, the Mother of Nature will suffer more and more."
"Then shouldn't we just scrap it entirely?"
"I would like to do so. But he also prophesied that because it is a miracle material, it will be used in every field a hundred years from now."
If anyone else had said it, they would have dismissed the prophecy as nonsense. But because it was Isaac, Descal and his officials believed it implicitly. In Helium, many people already regarded Isaac as a god. This was thanks to the blessings that had continued from the Xenon Biography to Blood and Iron.
Besides, it was a hundred years. For humans, it was like prophesying that a miracle material would be widely used in ten years.
"So you're saying we have a hundred years left. Whether we will suffer the same pain the Mother of Nature receives, or maintain things as they are now."
"Since we created a miracle, we must take responsibility for it... I understand what you mean."
"A great task has been bestowed upon the alchemists."
And so, the officials followed without a word. Honestly, they had no choice but to follow. With mana engines, factories, and even tanks being born, who wouldn't believe him?
Descal, seeing that not a single official opposed him, spoke with a satisfied face.
"We have created a miracle from things obtained from nature."
Alchemy was originally a field of study closer to philosophy.
"But now, it seems the time has come for us to take responsibility for that miracle."
As of today, alchemy began to show signs of being reborn as chemistry.
*
While another movement was stirring in Helium, which had become aware of environmental pollution...
I won't get punished for this, will I?
Isaac was genuinely worried about what he had set in motion. He could brush off mana engines and tanks, but the fact that plastic had already been invented in Helium exceeded his expectations. On Earth, it was a substance invented only in the 1900s, but in this world, it had been invented alongside stockings.
Fortunately, it had remained a forgotten, 'failed' invention because its use was unknown. However, as time passed, its true value would be realized. Knowing how much harm plastic caused the environment, Isaac had no choice but to ask Luminous. He asked if the environment would become polluted like Earth's, and if he was inadvertently tormenting Hirt.
[Do not worry, child. Mother also knew of that future through Earth.]
Luminous gently soothed Isaac. Thanks to that, Isaac felt a bit relieved, but...
[And that karma returns to you all, not us, does it not? It is not we who suffer, but you. We only intend to give warnings.]
...That's even scarier.
[It is the price humanity pays for ignoring our warnings.]
Instead, he learned just how terrifying a god could be.